Apple Pie Bars {Paleo, Vegan}

These Paleo apple pie bars have a delicious almond butter crust and crumb top and perfect gooey sweet apple pie filling! They’re a fun fall dessert to make and eat with kids, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and vegan.

I’m ridiculously excited to finally post the recipe for these apple pie bars. I think I made them in JULY, and they were a one-shot success (YAY!) so, that means it’s been quite a while since actually eating one. In fact, it feels like 2 years ago – at least according to Diana, my 10 year old.

Apparently the summer was a long one and these apple pie bars got lost somewhere in the first half. Maybe that’ll teach me to stop trying to work so far in advance – HA! I’m sort of the opposite of a procrastinator and tend to do things too early, then forget about them or get the timing all wrong and don’t know where to fit them in. Or, even more often, decide I hate the photos and decide to do the whole thing over.

In the case of these bars though, there will be no forgetting – these bars are a real-deal dessert, one you won’t believe is paleo, vegan, made with real-food ingredients and all that jazz. One of those desserts that disappears overnight once you give your family the green light. A dessert that makes Adam look at me with the nerve to ask, if, I actually came up with the recipe myself (snort.) Although I do take that as the highest of all compliments, it’s also, um, just a smidge offensive…

When you have a good thing, it makes sense to fit it into as many recipes as possible! I figured an apple pie version would be a perfect seasonal spin on those bars, and the final version did not disappoint. Gooey sweet apple pie filling, almond butter cookie crust and topping, and, if you want to go all-out a la mode, a big scoop of ice cream and vegan caramel sauce. Dangerously delicious is an understatement!

Whether or not you top ’em, these paleo and vegan apple pie bars are going to become a favorite for sure – one even picky kids will love (because even my pickiest did!) and even non-paleo eaters can enjoy.

While you can sub in your favorite nut butter, since the crust relies heavily on almond butter, I suggest using one mild in flavor and nice and smooth for the best result. Cashew butter would work really well too. As for the apple filling, you’ll have to do your best to avoid eating it with a spoon before spreading it all over the crust – it’s dessert all on its own! Are you guys ready to bake? Let’s go!

Apple Pie Bars {Paleo, Vegan}

Paleo Apple Pie Bars

These Paleo apple pie bars have a delicious almond butter crust and crumb top and perfect apple pie filling! They're a fun fall dessert to make and eat with kids, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and vegan.

For the Crust/Crumble

Press 3/4 of the dough into the prepared baking dish lined with parchment paper, chill the remaining dough while you bake bottom crust 7 minutes, then remove from oven.

Spread the apple mixture over the partially baked crust, then drop or spoon the chilled crust mixture evenly over the top. Return to oven and continue to bake 25 minutes until top is golden brown. Remove and allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

For the Optional Caramel Sauce

Combine the coconut cream and coconut sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat so the mixture is bubbling evenly and continue to cook and stir until reduced and thickened, about 10-15 mins. It should resemble dark caramel. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Allow to cool completely before serving.

What I Used to Make My Paleo and Vegan Apple Pie Bars:

Want More Paleo Apple Recipes? Try One of these!

Tell Me!

What’s your all-time favorite pie?

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Paleo Running Momma!

You Might Also Like...

About Michele

More than a little into running and paleo recipes (yoga now too!) but I'm not here to rain on your grains (or anything else) so come along for the ride! I do a little too much of everything (except cleaning), and I enjoy laughing at myself. As long as I'm the one making the jokes, that is. Just kidding. So bring me your angst, your appetite and your frying pan and climb aboard!

Michele, these look incredible and I really like the ingredient list, too. Hard to believe they’re not made from butter, regular flour and sugar. Also, your husband’s comment is THE ultimate approval. I’ve gotten it from family and friends, too, and it’s the best.

Your instructions mention adding vanilla to the crust mixture, but there is no listing of vanilla in the ingredients list. Also, the instructions say to add 3 tbsp maple syrup, yet the recipe ingredients state 1/4 cup maple syrup (which equals 4 tbsp). I’m very anxious to try these, but I would appreciate clarification of these two differences. Thank you so much, and thank you for all the incredible recipes you provide for us!

Hi! After completely cooling they’ll cut pretty neatly but I’d still use a plate 🙂 however after being refrigerated they can just be eaten by hand and they’re good both ways. If you’re going to dig in right after baking a plate will definitely be necessary!

Making right now! The salt and cinnamon in the crust recipe are never mentioned in instructions. Was I supposed to add to crust or topping part only? Mine is already in the oven so I was gonna add to the topping crust. Hope that tastes good. Just wanted to bring it to your attention! Thanks for the recipe!

I am very new to this…like brand new. 🙂 I have found out that I have several food intolerances and almonds is my highest. Can coconut flour be used for the whole recipe? I am so hoping to find things that I can enjoy with the intolerances that I have discovered and yet let my body begin to heal. I am really loving your website. Thanks for all the hard work that you do.

Hi and welcome! For this particular recipe, I have tested an all coconut flour version. That said, I have a crust/crumble bar recipe that uses cranberry sauce but I think you can easily adapt it to the apple pie bars. It’s not vegan though, it uses eggs. I’ll link you to it here: https://www.paleorunningmomma.com/paleo-cookie-crumb-cranberry-bars/
If you’re on a desktop or lap top you can search by keyword on the blog to find recipes that use coconut flour or are nut free. Hope this helps!

If you prefer, I think you can use all almond flour for the crumble mixture, the measurement would likely be up to 2 cups total off almond flour, however, since I haven’t tested it I’m not totally certain. I would say to try using 1 3/4 cups total, and then adding by the Tbsp until you get a very thick cookie dough texture. Again, I haven’t tried it, so can’t promise!

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Hi! I’m so happy you stopped by! My name is Michele and I’m a Paleo eater and recipe creator, runner, mom of 3, and the gal behind Paleo Running Momma! Over here you’ll find real-food, clean eating family favorites that you’ll be excited to share with your loved ones. I hope you stay awhile, eat, savor, and enjoy!